You probably spent lots of time in week 1 getting to know each other, but the job is not done! People’s personal stories of life and faith are our priority - not only so that the group can develop deeper relationships, but because our spiritual next step depends on where we are… and that means we need to understand the story of how our people go to where they are!

So at every question and every turn, keep digging into people’s stories and working to understand what has made your people who they are today!

Jake asked on Sunday what were the quick-fix schemes or products you have used. Tell your group one scheme you’ve tried that failed miserably.

If you can’t think of a quick-fix fail, tell the group one scheme you’ve tried that surprised you and did work.

>>> LEADER TIP: INTRODUCING THE GROUP STATEMENT

Remind your group that these rules are to help us grow closer together and ensure that everyone feels safe to share and be "for each other."

Let everyone know that you'll gently correct someone when they "break the rules" - especially while we're all still getting to know one another. If it helps, ask if everything makes sense and have a quick discussion about anything that is unclear!

We are a group of imperfect people pursuing a perfect God. We exist to help each other find and follow Christ. These are some things we want to be true of our group:

We create a safe and honest environment, staying transparent and authentic.

We keep it inside the circle. Confidentiality is necessary for a healthy group.

We look together to the Bible for help and guidance, and keep out our own politics, sales, or agendas.

We do not try to fix each other, preach sermons, or give unsolicited advice. We instead encourage, listen to, and celebrate each other.

We handle conflict between us quickly and honestly by going to the person, owning our part, and practicing forgiveness.

We respect each others’ time by starting and ending when we say we will.

We trust that it is God’s role to change people, not ours.

We believe that in Jesus Christ, there is hope for everyone.

Living in a world that’s oversaturated with the next best thing can make it hard to believe there is only one thing we need.

Jesus knew we needed tangible things to understand this truth. One way he did that was by taking a happy meal portion offered by a little boy and feedings thousands of people to explain that all of our needs are covered through Him--spiritual and otherwise.

Jake Barker ended the "Follow" series with the most fundamental of the questions about following Jesus. Why would we follow Jesus, now and for life?

CONNECT

Over the course of the series, what has been most memorable thing as we’ve talked about what it means to follow Jesus?

>>> LEADER TIP: Establish Your CircleIf you have new people, or people that didn’t attend service, use this as an opportunity to establish trust and make them feel safe.

Give them an opportunity to answer this instead: Growing up, what would you have said it means to follow Jesus?

DISCOVER

Read John 6:26-27, 30, 32-35, 40 (NLT) together.

26 I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the father has given me the seal of his approval.”

30 “They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you.”...Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they replied, “give us that bread every day.” Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believe in me will never be thirsty...For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.

Spiritual Hunger Spiritual hunger is very similar to regular hunger, but the hunger pains are different. How do you know when you’re spiritually hungry? How do you handle that spiritual hunger and try to fulfill it?

FOLLOW-UP QUESTION:What are some temporary “sugar cravings” that you have that are challenging you to view as deeper, eternal needs?

>>> LEADER TIP: A Good Explanation“I want” isn’t a bad thing. God wants us to rely on him for all of our needs (like security, peace, a better marriage). But try to drive the conversation to consider what Jesus is growing in US when we aren’t getting the “bread” we desire. (specific desires like a big raise, better kids, a fixed spouse)?

Understanding Our Needs We all tend to focus in on what we need in the moment, just like the people in the story. We sometimes look at what we can get: a free meal, financial support, etc. What’s the “free meal” you’re hoping Jesus will provide? What are you hoping that Jesus will fix, change, or transform?

APPLY

Spiritual FoodGod feeds and fills us not just because he loves us, but also so we can feed others. What are your recurring, unsatisfied appetites? What unmet desires keep showing up in different ways in your life?

>>> LEADER TIP: HUNGER PAINSIf you hear crickets, ask how their concentration levels are when they’re hungry! Make more connections between normal hunger so you can all better recognize spiritual hunger! Lead your people through the process of discovery!

Fed to Feed OthersEven though we were created to help others, it’s hard to do that when we’re always spiritually hungry. If your appetites were satisfied by God, how do you think God might use you to help feed the people in your life that need it?

Bread of Life / CommunionIn John 6 Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise that person on the last day.” Communion is a great symbol of what Jesus says here. Is communion something you participate in when it happens during a service? How does this verse affect your reverence (or appreciation/respect) for the way you think about communion?

SurrenderJake said that fans turn into followers when they choose to surrender to Jesus. Surrender means we’re not in control and that we’re living for someone else instead of ourselves. In what areas of your life do you have trouble surrendering, knowing that Jesus might meet your needs in a different way than you’d hope for?

READ. PRAY. DO.

Check in on how last week's READ / PRAY / DO went. What did everyone learn about themselves or God by reading, praying, or doing?

READ

To get the a fuller picture about Jesus' call to follow Him, we need to go back to the source. Over these 4 weeks, we're reading John's biography of Jesus!

John, chapters 16-19

PRAY

Jesus said when two or more are gathered in his name, he is in the midst of them. Let’s take a moment to pray for our growing community in Santa Barbara and continue to pray throughout the week.

Jesus, Thank you for giving us these circles, not just rows. We are grateful that you have gathered us together to know you more. Thank you for your faithfulness and for always providing us with food for our growth--both spiritually and practically. We are so thankful for our growing church family in Santa Barbara. Please overflow their community with blessing and allow your love to shine on the leadership so they can fill others with your love.

DO

God gave us the fruits of the spirit to fill us up! Ask God for the gifts of the spirit this week and talk to Him about your needs. Ask God to fill you up this week with these gifts that he has promised to give.

Ask God each morning before you get out of bed to fill you with these things:

Galatians 5:22-24But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is LOVE [unselfish concern for others], JOY, [inner] PEACE, PATIENCE [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL. Against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.

BONUS: Take each gift (or verse) and write it on post-it notes in specific places where you need to remember God has given you free access to these gifts the most!

John 6:26-27, NLT

“I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the father has given me the seal of his approval.”

John 6:30, 32-35, 40, NLT

“They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you.”...Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they replied, “give us that bread every day.” Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believe in me will never be thirsty...For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.

John 6:53-54, NLT

“So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise that person on the last day.”

John 6:66-69, NLT

“At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe and we know you are the Holy One of God.”